Releasable connection between two adjoining body shell parts of a vehicle body and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A releasable connection is provided between two adjoining components, particularly body shell parts of a vehicle body. A releasable connection ensuring an exact positioning of the two parts as well as a fast and simple mounting is provided. The releasable connection includes at least one base plate which is held in position on a first body shell component and has at least one projecting pin. A receiving device is fastened to an opposite second body shell component and has a rotatable slotted sleeve part. An end-side profiled head section of the at least one pin is guidable through openings of the second component, of the receiving device and of the sleeve part. As a result of radial rotation of the sleeve part about an angle α, a fastening of the first and second body shell components with respect to one another takes place.

[0001] This application claims the priority of 102 42 787.9, filed Sep.14, 2002, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a releasable connection between twoadjoining components, particularly body shell parts of a vehicle body.

[0003] In the field of vehicle construction, it is generally known tomutually connect adjoining components, particularly body shell parts ofa vehicle body, by means of welding.

[0004] In addition, it is known from German Patent Document DE-PS 1 277042 to mutually releasably connect adjoining body shell parts of avehicle body. For this purpose, a weld nut equipped with an internalthread is provided on a component, into which weld nut a screw can bescrewed which is connected with the other component. In order to avoid arotating of the two components with respect to one another during thefastening, several screwed fastenings have to be provided which arearranged at a distance from one another.

[0005] This arrangement has the disadvantage that several screwedfastenings have to be provided which are situated side-by-side, forwhich considerable time is required.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to further develop a releasableconnection between two adjoining components, particularly body shellparts of a vehicle body, such that, on the one hand, an exact mutualpositioning of the two parts with a uniform seam is achieved and, on theother hand, a fast and rapid mounting of both parts is ensured.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by providinga releasable connection between two adjoining body shell part componentsof a vehicle body, wherein the releasable connection comprises at leastone base plate which is held in use in position on a first component andhas at least one projecting pin, and a receiving device which isfastened to a second component and has a rotatable slotted sleeve part,wherein an end-side profiled head section of the at least one pin isguidable through openings of the second component, of the receivingdevice and of the sleeve part, and wherein, as a result of radialrotation of the sleeve part about an angle α, a fastening of the firstand second components with respect to one another takes place in certainpreferred embodiments of the invention the releasable connectioncomprises at least two mutually spaced ones of said projecting pinswhich are arranged on a common base plate or on two separate baseplates.

[0008] Important advantages achieved by means of the invention are that,as a result of the releasable connection according to the invention, themounting expenditures, particularly the mounting time, are clearlyreduced. The releasable connection, which include a base plate with amolded-on pin, a receiving device, and a rotatable sleeve part, can berapidly and easily mounted and demounted. The projecting pins, which areprovided in pairs on the base plate according to certain preferredembodiments of the invention, ensure a protection against torsion and,in addition, provide a precise positioning of the two components as wellas a visually attractive appearance of the joint. As a result of aneccentric construction of the sleeve part according to certain preferredembodiments of the invention, the components can be mounted with adesired prestressing. The individual components of the releasableconnection can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner. Inaddition, the parts can be mounted in a simple manner so that the twocomponents can be connected by means of snap-type connections accordingto certain preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a partial top view diagonally from the front ofadjoining body shell components of a passenger car constructed accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an enlarged and turned sectional view taken along LineII-II of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the releasable connection of FIGS.1 and 2, shown in a mounted position;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the individual components of thereleasable connection of FIGS. 1-3;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base plate with the molded-onpin of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along Line VI-VI of FIG. 2rotated by 90°.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates the front end area 1 of a passenger car 2, inwhich case adjoining components 3, 4 of the vehicle body are connectedwith one another by way of at least one releasable connection 5. Theadjoining components 3, 4 are fitted to one another along a joint 6 andare formed by vehicle body shell parts of the passenger car 2. In theillustrated embodiment, the first component 3 is formed by a front-endcovering, whereas the second component 4 represents a stationary forwardfender.

[0017] In the joint connection area 7, the two components 3, 4 areequipped with bent-away inwardly directed flanges 8, 9 which restagainst one another in areas. In this case, flange 8 is assigned tocomponent 3, and flange 9 is assigned to component 4.

[0018] The releasable connection 5 comprises at least one base plate 10which is held in position on a component 3 and has at least oneprojecting pin 11, 11 a, and a receiving device 12 which is fastened tothe other component 4 and has an interior locally slotted sleeve part13. An end-side profiled head section 14, 14 a of the pin 11, 11 a canbe guided through openings 15, 16, 17 of the component 4, of thereceiving device 12 and of the sleeve part 13. As a result of the radialrotation of the sleeve part 13 about an angle

, which, in this case, in areas, reaches behind a circular-arc-shapedarea 18 of the head section 14, a fastening of the parts 10, 12 of thereleasable connection takes place and, as a result, the component 3, 4are tensioned with respect to one another.

[0019] The four-cornered base plate 10, which is elongated in the topview, in the embodiment shown, is premounted on the component 3. Thismay take place by snapping-on, gluing or the like. According to FIG. 2,the base plate 10 is guided from the side 19 of the flange 8 facing awayfrom the component 4 to the component 3 and is supported on the flange8. Rectangular openings 20 are provided on the flange 8 for thefastening of the base plate 10 as well as for the guiding-through of theat least one pin 11, 11 a. In the embodiment shown, the base plate 10 isconnected with the component 3 by means of snapping-on. Detent noses 21constructed locally on the base plate 10 in this case reach behind edgesections of the openings 20 of the component 3.

[0020] According to FIG. 5, two detent noses 21, each arranged in pairs21, are provided on the base plate 10, which detent noses lockinglyinteract with the component 3. The detent noses 21 extend on both sidesof the injection-molded-on pins 11, 11 a (FIG. 5). On the side facingaway from the pins 11, 11 a, the base plate 10 has a longitudinallyextending bent supporting rib 22 as well as several transverselyextending supporting ribs 23.

[0021] Each molded-on pin 11, 11 a is composed of a foot section 24, 24a, of a head section 14, 14 a provided with reinforcing ribs 25, 25 aand of a web region 26, 26 a situated in-between. The pins 11, 11 a,which are connected to the base plate 10 approximately at a right angle,viewed in the top view, extend at an angle U with respect to the contactsurface 27 of the base plate 10 (see FIG. 6). The two pins 11, 11 a areconstructed at a distance from one another on the elongated base plate10. However, two separate base plates can also be used which each have aprojecting pin 11.

[0022] The receiving device 12 is preferably premounted on the component4 and comprises an approximately plate-shaped rectangular web 28 as wellas two mutually spaced receiving sections 29 which are connected withthe web 28. The elongated, locally slotted sleeve part 13 is received inthe receiving sections 29. On the plate-shaped web 28, correspondingopenings 16, 16 a are provided in the area of the pins 11, 11 a to beguided through, which openings 16, 16 a are adapted approximately to theexterior shape of the base sections 24, 24 a of the pins 11, 11 a.

[0023] In its cross-sectional view, the web 28 has a slightly bent shapeso that it rests only on the edge regions on the adjoining component 4.The receiving device 12 is connected with the adjoining component 4 alsoby means of a snapping-on. For this purpose, detent noses 30 areinjection-molded-on locally at the plate-shaped web 28, which detentnoses 30 in a locking manner reach behind edge sections of openings 15provided at the flange 9.

[0024] Each receiving section 29 is formed by two circular-arc-shapedholding lips 31, 32 which are arranged above one another, the free endsof the holding lips 31, 32 extending at a distance A with respect to oneanother. The distance A is selected such that a lateral insertion of thesleeve part 13 in the direction R into the receiving sections 29 isensured. The receiving sections 29 are arranged on both longitudinallyextending ends of the receiving device 12. One end-side receivingsection 29 is aligned with an opening 16 for the guiding-through of apin 11; whereas the other receiving section 29 is arranged laterallyoffset with respect to the opening 16 a of the other pin 11 a (FIG. 4).

[0025] The elongated sleeve part 13 is formed by a hollow cylinder whichhas one radially projecting collar section 33, 34 respectively at thetwo face-side ends. The two collar sections 33, 34 fix the rotatablesleeve part 13 in the longitudinal direction and are each supported onthe exterior sides of the receiving sections 29.

[0026] A face-side end of the sleeve part 13 is closed by means of awall 35 and, in the center, has a narrow longitudinal slot 36 forintroducing an auxiliary tool in order to rotate the sleeve part 13 inthe desired manner. In the embodiment shown, the sleeve part 13 isrotated during the mounting about an angle α of approximately 90° bymeans of a screw driver. The openings 17, 17 a on the sleeve part 13each are constructed as so-called keyhole openings. Each keyhole openingcomprises a relatively large introduction section 37, 37 a through whichone head section 14, 14 a respectively of the assigned pin 11, 11 a canbe introduced into the interior of the sleeve part 13. One end of theintroduction section 37, 37 a is adjoined by a significantly smallerholding section 38, 38 a which, viewed in its width, is slightly largerthan the width of the web region 26, 26 a of the corresponding pin 11,11 a. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve part 13, thetwo pins 11, 11 a may have the same or a different width. In theillustrated embodiment, the pins 11, 11 a have a different width. Theouter boundary 39, 39 a of the holding section 38, 38 a defines themounted end position B of the sleeve part 13 after the rotation. Thelongitudinal slot 36 will then extend approximately parallel to theplane of the supporting rib 22. The components of the releasableconnection 5 are produced of a suitable plastic material or of metal.

[0027] A defined prestressing of the releasable connection 5 is achievedin that the interior wall 40 of the sleeve part 13 extends eccentricallywith respect to the outer wall 41. As a result, the sleeve part 13 has avirtual cam shape which causes a defined bracing of the two components3, 4 with respect to one another during the rotating of the sleeve part13 of the releasable connection (not shown in detail).

[0028] The mounting of the releasable connection 5 takes place asfollows: The base plate 10 with the molded-on pins 11, 11 a ispremounted on the component 3. The receiving device 12 with the sleevepart 13 is premounted on the component 4. The sleeve part 13 takes upsuch a position that the introduction sections 37, 37 a are aligned inthe direction of the pins 11, 11 a of the component 3 which are to beguided through. Subsequently, the sleeve part 13 is rotated clockwise byapproximately 90°, so that the sleeve part 13 reaches behind thecircular-arc-shaped contact sections 18 of the head sections 14, 14 a ofthe pins 11, 11 a (mounting position B according to FIG. 3).

[0029] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustratethe invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications ofthe disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of theinvention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention shouldbe construed to include everything within the scope of the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. Releasable connection between two adjoining bodyshell part components of a vehicle body, wherein the releasableconnection comprises: at least one base plate which is held in use inposition on a first component and has at least one projecting pin, and areceiving device which is fastened to a second component and has arotatable slotted sleeve part, wherein an end-side profiled head sectionof the at least one pin is guidable through openings of the secondcomponent, of the receiving device and of the sleeve part, and wherein,as a result of radial rotation of the sleeve part about an angle α, afastening of the first and second components with respect to one anothertakes place.
 2. Releasable connection according to claim 1, wherein thereleasable connection comprises at least two mutually spaced ones ofsaid projecting pins which are arranged on a common base plate or on twoseparate base plates.
 3. Releasable connection according to claim 1,wherein each base plate is held in position on the first component byway of a snap-on connection.
 4. Releasable connection according to claim2, wherein each base plate is held in position on the first component byway of a snap-on connection.
 5. Releasable connection according to claim1, wherein the at least one base plate rests on a side of the firstcomponent which faces away from the second component, and the at leastone pin projects through an opening of the first component. 6.Releasable connection according to claim 2, wherein the at least onebase plate rests on a side of the first component which faces away fromthe second component, and the at least one pin projects through anopening of the first component.
 7. Releasable connection according toclaim 3, wherein the at least one base plate rests on a side of thefirst component which faces away from the second component, and the atleast one pin projects through an opening of the first component. 8.Releasable connection according to claim 1, wherein the receiving devicehas a plate-shaped web resting on the second component, and two mutuallyspaced receiving sections connected with the web, the elongated sleevepart being received within the receiving sections.
 9. Releasableconnection according to claim 2, wherein the receiving device has aplate-shaped web resting on the second component, and two mutuallyspaced receiving sections connected with the web, the elongated sleevepart being received within the receiving sections.
 10. Releasableconnection according to claim 4, wherein the receiving device has aplate-shaped web resting on the second component, and two mutuallyspaced receiving sections connected with the web, the elongated sleevepart being received within the receiving sections.
 11. Releasableconnection according to claim 8, wherein corresponding openings areprovided on the plate-shaped web in an area of the pins to be guidedthrough.
 12. Releasable connection according to claim 8, wherein theplate-shaped web of the receiving device is connected with the secondcomponent by means of snap-on connections.
 13. Releasable connectionaccording to claim 11, wherein the plate-shaped web of the receivingdevice is connected with the second component by means of snap-onconnections.
 14. Releasable connection according to claim 8, whereineach receiving section has two circular-arc-shaped holding lips whichare arranged above one another, free ends of both holding lips being sofar away from one another in a vertical direction that a lateralinsertion of the sleeve part is ensured.
 15. Releasable connectionaccording to claim 11, wherein each receiving section has twocircular-arc-shaped holding lips which are arranged above one another,free ends of both holding lips being so far away from one another in avertical direction that a lateral insertion of the sleeve part isensured.
 16. Releasable connection according to claim 12, wherein eachreceiving section has two circular-arc-shaped holding lips which arearranged above one another, free ends of both holding lips being so faraway from one another in a vertical direction that a lateral insertionof the sleeve part is ensured.
 17. Releasable connection according toclaim 8, wherein the sleeve part has radially projecting collar sectionson its two ends, which collar sections fix the sleeve part in the axialdirection on the receiving device.
 18. Releasable connection accordingto claim 11, wherein the sleeve part has radially projecting collarsections on its two ends, which collar sections fix the sleeve part inthe axial direction on the receiving device.
 19. Releasable connectionaccording to claim 12, wherein the sleeve part has radially projectingcollar sections on its two ends, which collar sections fix the sleevepart in the axial direction on the receiving device.
 20. Releasableconnection according to claim 14, wherein the sleeve part has radiallyprojecting collar sections on its two ends, which collar sections fixthe sleeve part in the axial direction on the receiving device. 21.Releasable connection according to claim 1, wherein at least oneface-side end of the sleeve part is closed by a wall, and wherein anarrow longitudinal slot for introducing an auxiliary tool is providedat the wall in order to rotate the sleeve part.
 22. Releasableconnection according to claim 2, wherein at least one face-side end ofthe sleeve part is closed by a wall, and wherein a narrow longitudinalslot for introducing an auxiliary tool is provided at the wall in orderto rotate the sleeve part.
 23. Releasable connection according to claim3, wherein at least one face-side end of the sleeve part is closed by awall, and wherein a narrow longitudinal slot for introducing anauxiliary tool is provided at the wall in order to rotate the sleevepart.
 24. Releasable connection according to claim 4, wherein at leastone face-side end of the sleeve part is closed by a wall, and wherein anarrow longitudinal slot for introducing an auxiliary tool is providedat the wall in order to rotate the sleeve part.
 25. Releasableconnection according to claim 5, wherein at least one face-side end ofthe sleeve part is closed by a wall, and wherein a narrow longitudinalslot for introducing an auxiliary tool is provided at the wall in orderto rotate the sleeve part.
 26. Releasable connection according to claim8, wherein at least one face-side end of the sleeve part is closed by awall, and wherein a narrow longitudinal slot for introducing anauxiliary tool is provided at the wall in order to rotate the sleevepart.
 27. Releasable connection according to claim 11, wherein at leastone face-side end of the sleeve part is closed by a wall, and wherein anarrow longitudinal slot for introducing an auxiliary tool is providedat the wall in order to rotate the sleeve part.
 28. Releasableconnection according to claim 12, wherein at least one face-side end ofthe sleeve part is closed by a wall, and wherein a narrow longitudinalslot for introducing an auxiliary tool is provided at the wall in orderto rotate the sleeve part.
 29. Releasable connection according to claim14, wherein at least one face-side end of the sleeve part is closed by awall, and wherein a narrow longitudinal slot for introducing anauxiliary tool is provided at the wall in order to rotate the sleevepart.
 30. Releasable connection according to claim 17, wherein at leastone face-side end of the sleeve part is closed by a wall, and wherein anarrow longitudinal slot for introducing an auxiliary tool is providedat the wall in order to rotate the sleeve part.
 31. Releasableconnection according to claim 1, wherein, for achieving a definedprestressing of the releasable connection, the sleeve part has aneccentric construction.
 32. Releasable connection according to claim 29,wherein, for achieving a defined prestressing of the releasableconnection, the sleeve part has an eccentric construction.
 33. Method ofmaking a vehicle body assembly comprising: fastening a base plate on afirst body shell component, said base plate including projecting pin,fastening a receiving device to a second body shell component, saidreceiving device having a rotatable slotted sleeve part, guiding anend-side profilled head section of the projecting pin through openingsof the second component, the receiving device and the sleeve part, androtating the sleeve part by a predetermined angle of rotation to therebyfasten the first and second component together.
 34. Method according toclaim 33, wherein the releasable connection comprises at least twomutually spaced ones of said projecting pins which are arranged on acommon base plate or on two separate base plates.
 35. Method accordingto claim 34, wherein each base plate is held in position on the firstcomponent by way of a snap-on connection.
 36. Method according to claim35, wherein the receiving device has a plate-shaped web resting on thesecond component, and two mutually spaced receiving sections connectedwith the web, the elongated sleeve part being received within thereceiving sections.
 37. Method according to claim 33, wherein saidfastening a base plate on the first body shell component includes snapfittingly connecting respective parts of the first body shell componentto respective mating parts of the base plate.
 38. Method according toclaim 33, wherein said fastening a receiving device to the second bodyshell component includes snap fittingly connecting respective parts atthe second body shell component to respecting mating parts of thereceiving device.
 39. Method according to claim 37, wherein saidfastening a receiving device to the second body shell component includessnap fittingly connecting respective parts at the second body shellcomponent to respective mating parts of the receiving device.
 40. Methodaccording to claim 39, wherein said base plate and receiving device areformed of respective plastic or metal material which is sufficientlyelastic to accommodate the snap fitting connections.